Insurance claims – a gateway to tech-driven careers

Lazar Cosic from the Sedgwick Property Americas Apprentice Program.

The insurance claims industry might not be the first sector that comes to mind for those seeking a rewarding technology career. However, with the rise of sophisticated claims technologies and platforms, insurance is becoming an exciting arena for young professionals, particularly for workers keen on marrying technical skills with a purpose-driven career. In this three-part series, we’ll explore how technologies like proprietary software systems, technical platforms, and NLP and AI products integrate into many roles within the insurance industry. For young, early career professionals looking to work in technology, targeting insurance roles over more traditional, ultra-competitive tech industry jobs might be a strategic career move. Here’s why:

Similar to other business industries, the insurance sector places a strong focus on early career programs for its young professionals. Interestingly, in our industry, you don’t always need a traditional college diploma to find an entry path to a career. Life experience, licensing and a simple self-starting attitude can open doors to apprenticeships, intern programs and independent contractor roles. This is especially of interest for Gen Z workers, who are increasingly opting out of the debt burden of an expensive four-year college degree, in favor of apprenticeships, trade education and other non-college tracks after high school.

There is also a high demand for tech talent in insurance. Insurance companies are constantly and actively recruiting for talent to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals, particularly in claims management. Early career insurance programs offer a unique blend of hands-on experience, mentorship and continuous learning opportunities while providing a solid foundation for industry knowledge and a chance to design solution-oriented platforms.

Insurance companies are increasingly developing proprietary claims systems and integrations to streamline processes, enhance efficiency and provide a more personalized experience for clients, strengthening brand and client trust. These systems serve as the backbone of the organization, facilitating everything from claims intake to assessment and payout.

Young professionals starting technology-focused careers can bring their skills to the table and help insurance companies grow and scale their proprietary platforms. Depending on the role, technological responsibilities may include working with digital architecture and coding languages, and building and customizing intricate tools to facilitate claims processing. The learning curve is steep but rewarding, as it equips young professionals with a desirable skill set as well as evidence of their technical acumen that can be leveraged by any industry. Digital natives quickly become proficient in these complex systems and this exposure hones their critical thinking skills. It also allows them to play a crucial role in suggesting improvements and advancements to these systems.

Lazar Cosic from the Sedgwick Property Americas Apprentice Program shares an interesting insight on how technology integrates with his role: “There are a few systems we use to open and set up different kinds of claims for adjusters, add files and documents for them, edit or add activities to files if needed, and interim or final bill a file. These systems help make the work run more efficiently, and they are customizable to accommodate diverse kinds of claims with changes that happen in the industry. I entered Sedgwick without any insurance background but applying my curiosity leveraging technology has allowed me to grow in this role and see insurance as a strong career choice for technology-based work.”

Claims administration is fundamentally rooted in helping people and businesses recover from unexpected events. Unlike in broader software engineering roles, where the focus might be on creating the next big consumer app, working in insurance technology offers professionals a profound sense of purpose in helping someone rebuild their life after a crisis. As Cosic frames his apprenticeship experience, “Small acts of kindness can go a long way. In insurance we may not be first responders, but we still work to treat people with respect and understanding, and help them feel like they are in good hands. I am proud to be a part of the insurance industry and I cannot wait to see where this journey will bring me in my career.”

Choosing a career in the insurance claims industry can open a world of opportunities for tech-focused individuals. The combination of cutting-edge technology, continuous learning and the satisfaction of making a difference in people’s lives makes insurance a compelling career path.

This article is the first in a series exploring how early career roles in insurance can be an unexpected and strategic alternative to traditional tech industry roles.